Loss in New York Drops Mystics to 0-8
Liberty 79, Mystics 69

Associated Press
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

NEW YORK, June 12 -- Shameka Christon scored 16 points to lead the New York Liberty to a 79-69 victory over the winless Washington Mystics on Tuesday night.

Cathrine Kraayeveld and Janel McCarville had 11 points each and Barbara Farris added 10 to help New York (6-2) snap a two-game losing streak.

DeLisha Milton-Jones had 20 points and nine rebounds and Alana Beard added 17 points for Washington (0-8), off to the worst start in franchise history.

The Mystics tried to get within striking distance after Jessica Davenport's layup pushed the Liberty's lead to 51-33 with 7:20 left in the third quarter.

Nikki Teasley hit a three-pointer for Washington that started an 11-3 run and cut the Mystics' deficit to 10 with four minutes left in the quarter.

However, New York used an 8-0 run to restore the lead to 18 with 1:32 left in the third.

Later, Farris was fouled away from the ball while Thorn shot a three and completed the four-point play with 7 minutes 13 seconds left in the game to give the Liberty a 73-51 lead, its biggest advantage of the game.

New York came in shooting a league-best 46 percent on three-pointers, but finished 5 for 20 against the Mystics.

After opening the season with six of eight games at home, the Liberty will play seven of the next nine on the road -- starting with a contest at Chicago on Friday night.

The Liberty took control with a 14-2 run over the final seven minutes of the first quarter. Farris's three-point play with 6.1 seconds left in the period made it 20-8.

New York led 43-25 at halftime, shooting 44 percent from the field and hitting 12 of 16 free throws.

Washington shot just 26 percent (8 for 30) in the first half.

· STORM 81, SKY 69: Lauren Jackson scored 19 points to lead visiting Seattle over Chicago.

Seattle (4-3), which won for second time in five games, had five players score in double figures -- including rookie Katie Gearlds, who contributed a season-high 17.

Sue Bird had 13 points and 11 assists, Janell Burse had 11 points and nine rebounds and Iziane Castro Marques added 10 points in the Storm's first road win of the season.

Candice Dupree scored 18 points for the Sky (4-5), which had won three of its previous four games. Armintie Price had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Chasity Melvin added 11 points for Chicago.